A Person Who Has Made Some Contribution to Mathematics - Essay Example

A Person Who Has Made Some Contribution to Mathematics Mathematics is an extremely varied and there are numerous individuals all through the course of history who have made a contribution to the field of mathematics in one way or another. The list of those who have contributed to the field of mathematics is extremely long. Moreover, a large number of the discoveries made by these prominent mathematicians have a basis in the medicine, technologies, and science that are currently common place (Hazewinkel 8). All in all, there are some recognized individuals who have made significant contributions to mathematics and their names cannot be disregarded. One of these significant people is Pythagoras. This paper will look at Pythagoras as an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of mathematics. Pythagoras made leading contributions to religious and philosophical teachings in the final period of the 6th century BC. Pythagoras is frequently venerated as a great mystic, mathematician, and scientist. Also, he is largely associated with the Pythagorean Theorem which was named after him. Nevertheless, because obfuscation and legend obscure his work even more than that of the other philosophers who existed during the pre-Socratic period, individuals are only compelled to only provide speculative accounts of his instructions, and a number of people have questioned if made much contribution to natural philosophy and mathematics. It may be argued that a large composition of the achievements credited to Pythagoras may in reality have been achievements of his successors and colleagues. In addition, whether or not his followers believed that everything was connected to mathematics and that numbers were the definitive reality is not known. It has also been asserted that Pythagoras was the first person to refer to himself as a philosopher. A philosopher refers to an individual who loves wisdom. It has also been argued that his notions employed a marked inspiration on Plato, and through him, the entire philosophy in the West. Additionally, Pythagoras was very properly educated (Malone 22). He was also inspired by several philosophers while he was a child. The most significant philosophers who inspired him include Thales and Pherekydes. Thales was the one who introduced him to mathematical concepts. Pythagoras became interested in cosmology, astronomy, and math because of Thales. Pythagoras was fascinated by all concepts of mathematics. Pythagoras was captivated by numbers and the concept of numbers. He developed a theory which asserted that every relation would be decreased to some form of number. In addition, he developed a theory on scales and ratios being created with the reverberation of vibrating strings. His ideas made a tremendous contribution to the music theory. Moreover, Pythagoras researched numerous different forms of numbers, for example, perfect squares, odd numbers, and triangles. He supposed that every number was unique and different and contained its own individual characteristic. For instance, it may be argued that ten is the most suitable number because it has four successive integers, that is, 1+2+3+4=10. However, the most tremendous contribution made by Pythagoras to the field of mathematics in the current period is Pythagoras theorem. Pythagoras has always been given credit for developing the Pythagoras theorem since the 4th century AD. The Pythagoras theorem is a theorem in geometry which explains that in all right-angled triangles the area of the square on the side opposite the right angle is equivalent to the aggregate of the squares of the other two sides. While the Pythagoras theorem was previously known and employed by the Indians and Babylonians, he or his apprentices, are frequently said to have developed the foremost evidence (Hermann 76). Nonetheless, it should be emphasized that the manner in which the Indians and Babylonians dealt with Pythagorean numbers indicates that they were aware that the idea was, in general, valid, and were aware of some form of evidence, which has not been yet discovered in the cuneiform resources. Pythagoras held a number of beliefs. One, numbers have strengths, personalities, weaknesses, and characteristics. Two, everything constitutes numbers. Mathematics is the foundation of everything. Also, geometry is the most elevated for of mathematical studies. Therefore, the physical world cannot be comprehended without mathematics. Three, each and every member of the society should observe stringent secrecy and loyalty. Four, a number of signs contain a supernatural significance. Five, the universe is dependent on the relationship of opposites, for example, fast and slow, male and female, heavy and light, darkness, and lightness, moist and dry, and warm and cold. Finally, Pythagoras believed that the human soul exists in the brain, and lives forever. The soul travels from one human being to another and in some instances, from a human being into an animal. This takes place though a sequence of re-embodiments referred to as transmigration, until it becomes wholesome. He supposed that both music and mathematics had the ability to purify (Benson 51). In addition, the Pythagoreans have always given Pythagoras credit as the master for a number of things. First, the summation of the angles of a triangle is equivalent to two right angles. Second, Pythagoras was able to construct the initial three of the five regular solids. Third, in spite both the Indians and Babylonians being aware of the Pythagoras theorem, Pythagoras proved it. Fourth, Pythagoras explained that the world was sphere in the core of the universe. In addition, he explained that the universe, stars, and planets took the spherical shape because the sphere was the most ideal solid figure. He also explained that the pathways of the planets were in circular shape. Fifth, the invention of irrational numbers is credited to the Pythagoreans. Nonetheless, it is doubtful to have been the initiative of Pythagoras because it does not match his notion that everything is numbers, since, in his view, number signified the ratio of two whole numbers. Finally, he is credited for developing figures of a given geometrical algebra and area, for instance, he solved numerous equations using geometry. Pythagoras researched perfect numbers, even and odd numbers, and triangular numbers. He also connected music to mathematics. Finally, Pythagoras contributed to the comprehension of polyhedral, angles, polygons, triangles, proportions, and areas (Riedweg 92). Works Cited Benson, D. C. The Moment of Proof: Mathematical Epiphanies. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Hazewinkel, M. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. New York: Springer, 2001. Print. Hermann, A. To Think Like God: Pythagoras and Parmenides—the Origins of Philosophy. Las Vegas: Parmenides Publishing, 2005. Print. Riedweg, C. Pythagoras, His Life, Teaching and Influence. New York: Cornell University Press, 2005. Print. Malone, J. C. Psychology: Pythagoras to present. Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2009. Print. Read More